Photo by: Kelly Gorham
BOBCATS 125: Shawn Johnson
6/4/2022 2:00:00 PM | Football
Shawn Johnson transformed himself from a speedster into a complete football player
Leading to the 2022 season, the 125th anniversary of Montana State's first football team, we will look at 125 of the greatest Bobcats. You can find details here and a directory here.
Shawn Johnson, RS/RB, 2011-14
ALL-TIME TEAM: None previously
HONORS: 3rd Team All-Big Sky Running Back and 2nd Team All-Big Sky Return Specialist in 2014, 3rd Team All-America and 1st Team All-Big Sky Return Specialist in 2013
A CLOSER LOOK: Away from the football field, you'd have almost no way of knowing Shawn Johnson was a star player. He spoke softly, displayed modesty and humility, was quiet in a way that attracted people to him.
But on the field? He was a blur.
Johnson impacted the Bobcats in the championship seasons of 2011 and 2012, averaging 20.7 yards per kickoff return and 8.0 yards per punt return. He also caught nine passes in 2012 as a sophomore. When he stepped into a more forward role during his final two seasons, though, Johnson's brilliance showed brightly. In 2013 he rushed 104 times for 609 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 5.9 yards per carry and 50.8 yards per game. He caught 28 passes for 243 yards, and averaged 31.0 yards per kickoff return (with two touchdowns) and 13.9 yards per punt return. He battled injuries as a senior, but still contributed to MSU's playoff season with 606 rushing yards, 285 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns between the two.
The transition from mercurial return specialist to dangerous all-purpose player isn't as easy as it may seem on the surface. Instead of running away from trouble, as a returner and receiver are trained, running backs generally run right into it. Johnson had to gain strength and add size to become an effective Division I ball carrier, and his commitment allowed him to do that successfully. He became stronger and leaned into the position's physical nature, and the result was Montana State's career all-purpose yards record of 4,453 (his 374 yards against EWU in 2014 is a Bobcat record, and his 1,757 yards in 2013 is second-most in school annals). His 6.12 rushing yards per carry in his career is a school record, and his 6.7 yards per carry in 2014 is second in Bobcat history.
Shawn Johnson, RS/RB, 2011-14
ALL-TIME TEAM: None previously
HONORS: 3rd Team All-Big Sky Running Back and 2nd Team All-Big Sky Return Specialist in 2014, 3rd Team All-America and 1st Team All-Big Sky Return Specialist in 2013
A CLOSER LOOK: Away from the football field, you'd have almost no way of knowing Shawn Johnson was a star player. He spoke softly, displayed modesty and humility, was quiet in a way that attracted people to him.
But on the field? He was a blur.
Johnson impacted the Bobcats in the championship seasons of 2011 and 2012, averaging 20.7 yards per kickoff return and 8.0 yards per punt return. He also caught nine passes in 2012 as a sophomore. When he stepped into a more forward role during his final two seasons, though, Johnson's brilliance showed brightly. In 2013 he rushed 104 times for 609 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 5.9 yards per carry and 50.8 yards per game. He caught 28 passes for 243 yards, and averaged 31.0 yards per kickoff return (with two touchdowns) and 13.9 yards per punt return. He battled injuries as a senior, but still contributed to MSU's playoff season with 606 rushing yards, 285 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns between the two.
The transition from mercurial return specialist to dangerous all-purpose player isn't as easy as it may seem on the surface. Instead of running away from trouble, as a returner and receiver are trained, running backs generally run right into it. Johnson had to gain strength and add size to become an effective Division I ball carrier, and his commitment allowed him to do that successfully. He became stronger and leaned into the position's physical nature, and the result was Montana State's career all-purpose yards record of 4,453 (his 374 yards against EWU in 2014 is a Bobcat record, and his 1,757 yards in 2013 is second-most in school annals). His 6.12 rushing yards per carry in his career is a school record, and his 6.7 yards per carry in 2014 is second in Bobcat history.
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